Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Evaluating Variables Associated with Inter-Fraction Bladder-Related Interruptions in Prostate and Prostate Bed Radiation Therapy","authors":"Patrycia Sek, Alex Ashley, Samantha Skubish, Cindy Vavasis, Junyi Xia, Seungjun Ahn, Richard Stock, Maria Dimopoulos","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102373","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102373","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose/Aim</h3><div>Maintaining a full bladder is standard practice in prostate and prostate bed radiation therapy to minimize bowel dose and reduce gastrointestinal toxicity. However, achieving consistent bladder filling can be challenging, leading to treatment interruptions, repeat imaging, and potential patient dissatisfaction. This study evaluated the impact of predictors, such as patient age, treatment timing (before or after noon), nursing and dietitian consults, treatment site (prostate or prostate bed), and total number of treatments (fractionation schedule) on inter-fraction interruptions due to bladder filling. Inter-fraction bladder interruptions were defined as treatment sessions deferred after patient positioning due to bladder filling.</div></div><div><h3>Methods/Process</h3><div>Following IRB approval, researchers performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated with external beam radiation therapy to the prostate or prostate bed between January 2019 and January 2025 at a large academic medical institution. Data was extracted from electronic medical records (Mosaiq and Epic). Predictors included treatment timing, age, treatment site, and documentation of nursing and dietitian consults. Inter-fraction interruptions due to bladder filling were identified using the electronic record code “TB.” Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between predictors and the likelihood of TB interruptions or appointment cancellations. Analyses were conducted using R version 4.4.2.</div></div><div><h3>Results or Benefits/Challenges</h3><div>A total of 271 patients were included in analysis (median age 69 years, IQR 62–75); 59% (n = 159) were treated to the prostate and 41% (n = 112) to the prostate bed. Interruptions occurring before noon accounted for 52% of all interruptions (n=140). Nursing and dietitian consults were completed in 80% (n = 217) and 91% (n = 247) of patients, respectively. Overall, 4.1% (n = 11) of appointments were canceled due to bladder filling. In univariable analysis, morning treatment was associated with a small, non-significant increase in interruptions (β̂ = 0.152, p = 0.420), nursing consults were not associated (β̂ = 0.121, p = 0.594), dietitian consults were not associated (β̂ = 0.106, p = 0.739), and age showed a negative but non-significant relationship (β̂ = -0.013, p = 0.245). Treatment site (prostate vs. prostate bed) and total number of treatments were significantly associated with total interruptions in the univariable analysis and were therefore included in the multivariable regression. After backward elimination, total number of treatments was the only variable that remained significantly associated with TB interruptions (β̂ = 0.026, p = 0.010), with each additional treatment corresponding to a 0.026 increase in TB interruptions; treatment site did not retain significance. The most frequent TB interruption was a single occurrence among patients treated with five ","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102373"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148565116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing Resource Utilization and Enhancing Patient Access to a Single Satellite Radiation Therapy Site","authors":"Brian Leung, Vanessa Hribar, Christine Black, Ruvette Coelho, Tanya Bigg, Shawn Binda","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102367","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102367","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose/Aim</h3><div>Our institution (Site A) supported by its satellite site (Site B), faced significant challenges in delivering equitable and timely radiation therapy to patients from X and Y postal regions. Due to capacity constraints and limited staffing at Site B, patients from these areas were unable to receive treatment locally, leading to inequities, delayed care, and increased travel burdens. Meanwhile, Site B’s treatment capacity was underutilized during low volume periods, while Site A experienced surges that created bottlenecks and operational inefficiencies, including frequent staff reassignments and increased costs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods/Process</h3><div>To address these challenges, a quality improvement initiative was implemented from January to June 2025, designed to optimize resource utilization and enhance patient access. Key components included staggered treatment pathways allowing patients to start at Site A and transfer to Site B as slots opened, technology enhancements like a self-check-in kiosk to support patient flow after hours, contingency nursing for rare acute needs, and structured scheduling guidelines to ensure clinical appropriateness for late-hour appointments.</div></div><div><h3>Results or Benefits/Challenges</h3><div>This initiative directly targets patients from previously excluded postal regions and the healthcare system as a whole by improving equitable access to radiation therapy, enhancing clinical safety, and increasing operational efficiency. Since launching in June 2025, the program has enabled patients to receive care closer to home, reducing travel burden, improving adherence to treatment plans, and enhancing the overall patient experience. Healthcare providers benefit from more predictable patient volumes, smoother workflows, and reduced need for disruptive staff reassignments, contributing to improved job satisfaction and workforce stability. The health system gains through better distribution of patient volumes, mitigating appointment backlogs, reducing overtime costs at Site A, and maximizing utilization of existing infrastructure at Site B without incurring significant new expenses.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions/Impact</h3><div>The initiative’s impact spans multiple dimensions of healthcare quality, including improved effectiveness by ensuring timely and reliable treatment completion; increased efficiency through better staff deployment and reduced travel; enhanced health equity by removing geographic barriers; greater safety via structured scheduling and after-hours protocols; timely care by minimizing delays; and person-centered care by providing more responsive and respectful treatment closer to patients’ homes. Importantly, this model achieves these improvements without additional capital investment, leveraging existing facilities and integrating enhancements through the MosaiQ EMR system. Continuous measurement through patient volume tracking, wait time analysis, staff reass","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102367"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148565117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of an Audit and Feedback Program to Measure and Reinforce Radiation Treatment Delivery Practices","authors":"Lyndon Morley, Lauren Silver, Rachel Glicksman, Kathy Man, Zaynab Muraj, Maureen Savage, Winnie Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102372","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102372","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose/Aim</h3><div>To evaluate the feasibility of the Radiation Therapy Clinical Practice Assessment (RT-CPA) and assess longitudinal changes in adherence to key safety practices during routine linear accelerator treatment delivery.</div></div><div><h3>Methods/Process</h3><div>RT-CPA was developed iteratively through pilot observations to refine observable criteria and implementation processes. Education emphasized that RT-CPA is a practice-focused, anonymous quality-improvement activity. Trained observers assessed 104 treatment delivery procedures over a year across a large department. Twelve clinical practices were assessed per procedure, and most (1,099 or 88.1% of 1,248 opportunities) were observed and scored as Met, Partially Met, Unmet, or Unobserved. Performance was summarized and shared regularly with therapists. Temporal trends were evaluated with logistic regression (Met vs not-Met). Reasons for deviations were categorized using a human-factors framework to distinguish knowledge-based mistakes, attention- or memory-related errors, and intentional deviations. These details supported targeted educational, cultural, or system-level responses. The project was guided by a multidisciplinary quality committee that included a patient partner.</div></div><div><h3>Results or Benefits/Challenges</h3><div>High-reliability practices in radiation therapy (RT)—particularly communication, verification, and team coordination—are essential to safety and quality but are rarely measured routinely in the treatment environment. We developed a structured, non-punitive direct-observation tool to provide actionable, aggregate feedback on key clinical practices expected to be routine in safe RT delivery. RT-CPA was feasible to implement during clinical operations and supported timely feedback without disrupting care. Observations created opportunities for immediate, constructive discussion of practice rationale and importance, including when all standards were met, reinforcing shared understanding of safe practice. Conducting debriefs without interrupting workflow or creating distraction during treatment delivery requires flexibility.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions/Impact</h3><div>Overall adherence across all practices was 86.3%, improving from 68.4% in Q1 to 95.0% in Q4. The odds of meeting a practice increased significantly over time (OR 1.27 per month; 95% CI 1.20–1.35; p<0.001). Practices with the lowest baseline adherence showed the largest improvements, including documentation (47.6%→100%), initial setup verification (40.0%→100%), patient identification (44.8%→82.6%), and verbal-visual verification (46.7%→76.9%). Several practices achieved 100% adherence by Q4. Observed deviations were primarily associated with awareness and routine non-adherence to expected practice and were addressed through targeted education and reinforcement. RT-CPA provides a practical approach to directly measuring and reinforcing safety-critical practices in RT treat","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102372"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148565118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Other Problem with “Problem Type”: Improving Incident Reporting in Radiation Therapy","authors":"Brian Liszewski, Misty Riach, Alison Giddings","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102381","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102381","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose/Aim</h3><div>A substantial proportion of radiation therapy incidents within a pan-Canadian incident-learning system are coded under the problem type “Other,” limiting the ability to identify trends, benchmark performance, and support shared learning across jurisdictions. This practice innovation aimed to improve the quality and usefulness of incident-learning data by addressing inconsistent use of the “Other” problem-type classification. Specifically, the project sought to clarify whether events coded as “Other” reflected misclassification, gaps in existing problem-type definitions, or reports that did not meet criteria for reportable safety incidents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods/Process</h3><div>All incident reports coded as “Other” over a two-year period were extracted and reviewed using a structured, two-stage classification process. In the first stage, a large language model was used to generate suggested problem-type classifications and to flag cases where use of “Other” appeared appropriate. In the second stage, radiation oncology subject-matter experts independently reviewed and validated these assignments using established incident-classification principles. Each report was assigned to one of three outcomes: (1) reassigned to an existing problem-type category, (2) identified as a novel event type not represented in the current taxonomy, or (3) deemed not a reportable safety incident. Discrepancies were resolved through consensus discussion, with particular attention to distinguishing problem type (patient impact) from contributing factors (underlying causes).</div></div><div><h3>Results or Benefits/Challenges</h3><div>The process highlighted key educational gaps, particularly confusion between patient impact and contributing factors, as well as inconsistent understanding of what constitutes a reportable safety incident. Challenges included variable report quality and inconsistent narrative detail, which limited confident reclassification. Expert review remained essential to ensure consistent application of incident classification principles.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions/Impact</h3><div>Approximately half of incidents initially coded as “Other” could be reassigned to existing problem-type categories, most commonly involving treatment delays, imaging issues, or positioning deviations. A substantial proportion of remaining reports were determined not to represent reportable safety incidents, often describing expected or unavoidable aspects of clinical care. Only a minority reflected truly novel event types. Emerging areas for refinement included incidents related to implanted devices, quality-assurance processes that prevented treatment, and minor variations not well captured by existing definitions. Overall, findings indicate that targeted education on incident theory and classification would yield the greatest improvement in data quality, with only modest updates to current categories required. This initiative demonstra","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102381"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148565120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Sustainability Quality Improvement Approach to Reducing Examination Table Paper Use in Radiation Oncology","authors":"Rachel Woo MRT(T), BSc (Hons), Agnes Cheung MSc (QIPS), BSc (Hons), MRT(T), Dr. Zahra Kassam MBBS, MSc, FRCR (UK), FRCP(C), DipABLM","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Climate change is recognized as a major threat to human health, with healthcare systems contributing substantially to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and solid waste<sup>1,2</sup>. Cancer care is particularly resource-intensive, and cancer patients are especially vulnerable due to higher baseline health risks <sup>3</sup>. Sustainability Quality Improvement (S-QI) integrates environmental sustainability objectives into routine healthcare quality improvement efforts, providing a structured approach to reducing environmental impacts<sup>1,4</sup>.</div><div>Within Radiation Oncology, disposable examination table paper is commonly used during patient set-up, representing a potential source of low-value disposable waste. Limited evidence exists of infection prevention benefit when patient-contact surfaces and accessories are cleaned between patients according to standard infection prevention and control Canada (IPAC) protocols <sup>1</sup>.</div><div>At our cancer centre, disposable examination table paper was routinely used across clinical areas, with frequent roll replacement generating ongoing costs and waste. As part of our department’s Sustainability and Planetary health Working Group, we undertook an S-QI initiative to reduce unnecessary use while maintaining safety and workflow efficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>This S-QI initiative was implemented across all radiation oncology clinical locations, including five radiation treatment units and two CT simulators. A baseline assessment of examination table paper usage was conducted over a one-month period by recording the date of each paper roll replacement in each clinical area.</div><div>Following baseline measurement, a department-wide quality improvement memo outlined a practice change whereby disposable examination table paper would no longer be routinely used for every patient set-up. This intervention was supported by IPAC standards. Paper use was not eliminated entirely and remained available at the radiation therapist’s discretion.</div><div>Post-intervention paper usage was monitored using the same roll-replacement tracking approach.</div><div>Paper roll usage served as a proxy measure for disposable paper consumption. Cost savings were calculated using institutional purchasing data.</div><div>GHG emissions savings were estimated by converting the reduction in paper roll usage to an equivalent mass of paper and applying a conservative lifecycle emissions factor for paper production. Based on supplier specifications and standard estimates, paper use was converted to kilograms and an emissions factor of approximately 1.0 kg CO₂e per kg of paper was applied<sup>5</sup>. Emissions estimates were inferred rather than directly measured and are reported as approximate monthly reductions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Implementation of the S-QI intervention was associated with a substantial and sustained reduction in disposable exa","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102454"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148565123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial Board/Masthead","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1939-8654(26)00360-7","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1939-8654(26)00360-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102546"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148565378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pediatric Proton Therapy in Ontario: Current Status and Future Directions","authors":"Tatiana Ritchie","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102356","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102356","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose/Aim</h3><div>Proton therapy is widely used worldwide for treating pediatric cancers because of its significant clinical benefits, yet Canada remains the only G7 country without a proton therapy centre. This abstract explores why proton therapy is particularly beneficial for pediatric patients by reviewing supporting literature, examines Ontario’s current out-of-country referral process for accessing treatment abroad, and discusses progress toward establishing Canada’s first proton therapy centre.</div></div><div><h3>Methods/Process</h3><div>Ontario Health has recommended proton therapy for pediatric cases based on strong clinical evidence. In 2022, the provincial government provided a $5 million planning grant as part of a $17.1 million investment to start design and feasibility work for Canada’s first hospital-based proton therapy centre at University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto. The plan includes up to five treatment suites and could serve about 1,500 pediatric and adult patients each year. Economic modeling suggests that having a domestic program would improve access, reduce delays, and save costs compared to sending patients to the U.S.</div></div><div><h3>Results or Benefits/Challenges</h3><div>Children undergoing cancer treatment are highly vulnerable to long-term side effects and secondary cancers, making precision in radiation delivery critical. Proton therapy addresses this need by offering superior dose conformity and reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues compared to conventional photon therapy. Evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses shows proton therapy helps preserve neurocognitive function and lowers endocrine toxicity. For example, children treated with protons for brain tumors tend to maintain higher IQ and memory scores over time, while those treated with photons often show declines. Endocrine issues such as hypothyroidism and sex hormone deficiency are also reported far less often after proton craniospinal irradiation than after photon therapy. These findings highlight why access to proton therapy is so important for pediatric patients. In Ontario, patients eligible for proton therapy can access this specialized treatment by traveling to the United States. While treatment costs are covered through out-of-country programs, families must pay for travel, accommodations, and meals, which can create a significant financial burden. In some cases, these costs—along with social factors such as caregiving responsibilities or inability to take time off work—make it impossible for families to travel, resulting in patients receiving photon therapy in local treatment centers instead. Building a Canadian proton therapy centre is essential to eliminate these barriers, and although it requires significant upfront investment, it would ultimately reduce long‑term costs for the province.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions/Impact</h3><div>Ontario Health’s advisory committee has endorsed publicly funded proton t","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102356"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148565645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Putting Money Where our Mouths Are: Health Economic Analysis of APRT","authors":"Caitlin Gillan,&nbsp;Scott Jones,&nbsp;Mary Job,&nbsp;Nicole Harnett","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This project aims to create an evidence-based baseline costing model for RT that can serve as the standard to conduct health economic analyses of practice innovations along the workflow.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This project involved three phases. In Phase I, a critical review of the literature informed the status of consideration of workflow in costing models for radiation therapy. Phase II consisted of an international Think Tank of RTT and health economics experts who contributed to an understanding of APRT workflow considerations with potential economic implications for the cost of care. Phase III will convene a virtual Canadian-based expert panel to build consensus for the model and assess the feasibility of implementation, with the intention of future piloting.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The initial literature review focused on the re-review of papers identified in two key systematic reviews published in 2016. Minimal attention to workflow considerations were noted, as only 13/46 papers considered RTT-related costs, and none mentioned advanced practice. Only 5/46 papers made any reference to the potential contribution of workflow variations, generally related to the use of different technologies or devices, rather than personnel. Two papers referred to the impact of different personnel performing different aspects of a workflow.</div><div>Twenty-one medical radiation technologists attended the HEA Workshop held in conjunction with the Leading the Way in Radiographer Advanced Practice (LTWRAP) Conference in Bradford, United Kingdom, in September 2025, with representation from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia. There was a slight but statistically insignificant increase in the perceived importance of HEA in APRT (average of 4.69/5 from 4.53/5). Participants noted a number of data to be collected moving forward as a result of the workshop, including patient throughput, patient experience, allocation of 'freed' physician time etc. Workflow mapping conducted during the workshop highlighted the potential cost implications of more efficient triaging and treatment planning, improved care coordination, and reduction in unused machine time, amongst other factors.</div><div>Further work to map costing models and engage in model consensus-building and piloting is ongoing.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The primary endpoint of this work is a fit-for-purpose RT costing model, with preliminary validation by RTT and health economics experts and pilot-testing in a single Canadian RT department.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102404"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148566009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Barriers to Bridges: Understanding IEMRTs’ Experiences with Canadian Certification and Integration","authors":"Lisa Wallace,&nbsp;Charlene Song,&nbsp;Arya Joshi,&nbsp;Alyssa Manalo,&nbsp;Mikki Campbell","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102409","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102409","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Explores certification journeys of internationally educated MRTs (IEMRTs) who achieved Canadian certification to inform co-design of a national experiential bridging program.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured focus groups (n = 12) and interviews (n = 2) conducted Dec 2024–Feb 2025 with IEMRTs certified 2022–2024; inductive thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Peer support and mentorship were critical across credential assessment, exam preparation, and workforce integration. Access to Canadian experience varied. Employment pathways were non-linear; barriers included immigration uncertainty and recognition of prior practice.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A holistic approach combining peer support with system-level coordination is essential to sustainably integrate IEMRTs into the Canadian workforce; insights informed the co-design of a national experiential bridging program.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102409"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148566014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patient Perspectives on Imaging and Dosimetry after Radiotheranostics Lutathera Treatment for Neuroendocrine Tumours","authors":"Zaynab Muraj,&nbsp;Caroline Marr,&nbsp;Tara Rosewall,&nbsp;Rebecca Wong,&nbsp;Brandon Driscoll,&nbsp;Ivan Yeung,&nbsp;Judy Gabrys,&nbsp;Ibrahim Alrekhais,&nbsp;Aruz Mesci,&nbsp;Yat Man Tsang,&nbsp;Andrea Shessel","doi":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102408","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmir.2026.102408","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Post-treatment SPECT imaging is essential for assessing radiopharmaceutical uptake and informing dose calculations to tumours and organs. The objective of this study was to investigate patients’ understanding of individualized dosimetry and SPECT imaging post radiotheranostics treatments.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Quality improvement study using semi-structured telephone interviews with patients treated with Lutathera (2022–2024). Interviews explored SPECT attendance, purpose, communication, familiarity with “dosimetry,” expectations, and additional information needs. Transcripts analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis by two reviewers.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Interviews with ten participants reached information saturation. Most felt well-informed but noted inconsistencies in SPECT duration and flow. “Dosimetry” was unfamiliar to many, but participants understood imaging assessed treatment uptake. Some connected results to decisions (dose escalation or discontinuation). Radiation safety concerns emerged, suggesting the need for proactive communication and support.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>As radiotheranostics evolve, effective knowledge translation to patients is essential. Patients understood the rationale for post-treatment imaging and highlighted areas for better communication and support.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46420,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences","volume":"57 4","pages":"Article 102408"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148566019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}